The Chaser: a Marauder's Era Jily Fanfic

Those Who Mind Don't Matter, Those Who Matter Don't Mind

Madam Pomfery apparently did think everything went well, for it was just before lunch when she dismissed me from the Infirmary with instructions to rest, and to come back to her if I got really dizzy. I thanked her, and left. I hurried up to the dormitory, for although my clothes had been laundered, they still had a slight sent of blood, which was unpleasant to say the least. I changed into my school robes, and arranged a black headband to cover part of the newly-healed cut on the top off head; the cut didn't look very appealing. I walked down to the common room, thinking of all the homework I needed to get started on. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I stopped short. Remus had just entered the portrait hole. He hurried up the boys dormitory staircase and avoided meeting my eye. Madam Pomfery seemed to be right; that he was afraid, predictably that I would tell the whole school about his werewolf-ness.

~~~~

I walked into the Great Hall for dinner fifteen minutes later. I got a few curious looks--my absence must've been noted. I slid into my usual seat, with Marlene and Mary on my right, and James, Sirius, Remus and Peter across from me.

"Lil! Finally! What happened?" Marlene asked. Shoot!

"I...er...fell. Off a broom," I improvised, lamely. Then, to reinforce my lie, when Marlene looked suspicious, and James and Sirius shared a look of 'Really? That's the best she can do?' added, "I mean, it's quite embarrassing. I can't even stay on a broomstick, and I'm a sixth year! It's quite pathetic." Marlene seemed to be convinced, and James and Sirius shrugged. Remus seemed very absorbed in his steak-and-kidney pie, however hard I attempted to meet his eye. With the commotion accompanying apparition of dessert, Remus quietly snuck out of the Great Hall. I met James's eye, and inclined my head in the direction of the double doors at the end of the Hall closing.

I got up and muttered, "Bathroom." Before hastily leaving the Great Hall in pursuit of Remus. I caught him as he entered the Common Room.

"Er... Remus?" I started. "Are you...okay?" He looked up at me in astonishment.

"Me?" He said, incredulous. "You're not...?" I frowned. He sighed, tiredly, "Lily, I'm a werewolf! Don't you hate me? I even tried to attack you!" He shook his head, ashamed," I'm dangerous."

"How shallow do you think I am?" I said, still frowning, "And besides, you didn't try to attack me!"

"Yeah I did! It's my fault! I almost killed you!"

"No, that was a werewolf's mind, not Remus Lupin's," I retorted. Remus seemed to give up.

"You don't know how few people have that opinion," he said, bitterly and grimaced. He then turned to a real smile adding, gratefully, "Thank you, Lily. You don't know how much it means--that not everyone turns against me once they know of my...condition. I--I was always surprised my friends' acceptance of my 'furry little problem'." He swallowed, and nodded. "I--I... Thank you. And, thanks for not telling the others."

"Of course, Remus. You should be able to decide who knows," I said, sincerely. My face became more severe. "People's prejudice is sickening. And anyone who can't see past that you are a werewolf, and see the person you are...they're not worth it, Remus." He nodded, as if not trusting himself to speak. I smiled, and hugged him.